Celiac disease is an enteropathy induced by ingestion of gluten triggering an immune response in genetically predisposed individuals. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that have a role as regulators of gene expression at the post transcriptional level. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers in pediatric patients with celiac disease. In addition, we examine the effect of a gluten-free diet on the expression of these miRNAs in serum of CD patients. The expression pattern of miR-21 and miR-31 was estimated in serum of 25 untreated CD patients (recently diagnosed), 25 treated CD patients (on gluten-free diet) and 20 healthy controls using qRT-PCR. Our results demonstrated the significant up-regulation of microRNA-21 in the untreated celiac patients in comparison with the treated group and healthy controls. Moreover, miR-31 expression was significantly under-expressed in the untreated celiac patients in comparison with the treated group and healthy controls. Furthermore, the results showed that miR-21 expression level was significantly positively correlated with the tTG IgA auto-antibodies. In conclusion, circulating miRNA-21 and miRNA-31 could serve as potential non-invasive biomarkers for pediatric CD patients. their implication in the dysfunction of intestinal barrier and their association with certain clinical manifestation (9). MiRNAs are small endogenous single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through the control of stability and translation of the mRNA (10,11). MiRNAs have been associated with various pathological conditions of the immune system (12). Many studies have reported the aberrant expression of miRNAs in intestinal biopsies of celiac patients, while the role of circulating miRNAs and their expression levels are still undefined compared to that of tissue miRNAs (4). Capuano et al. (2011) evaluated the miRNA expression pattern in the small intestine of children with active CD, children with CD on GFD and control children without CD. Their results showed the overexpression of miR-449a and the decrease of miR-124a expression in CD patients and GFD treated CD patients than in controls (13).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by familial aggregation and genetic predisposition. MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) serve as critical biomarkers in lupus patients because of their aberrant expression in different SLE stages. The study aimed to investigate the correlation of miR-31 and miR-21 with IL-2 in SLE patients as regulatory biomarkers in the activation of T lymphocytes of Egyptian lupus patients. Quantitative RT-PCR is carried out to estimate the expressions of miR-31 and miR-21, and IL-2 levels were determined using ELISA in plasma of 40 patients with SLE, 20 of their first-degree relatives and 20 healthy controls. The study also determined the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score and proteinuria in SLE patients. The results revealed that miR-31 was lower expressed, while miR-21 was high expressed in SLE patients compared to their first-degree relatives and controls. MiR-31 was negatively correlated with SLEDAI and proteinuria in lupus patients, while miR-21 showed positive correlation with them. Also we found that there is a significant positive correlation between miR-31 and IL-2 in SLE patients, while miR-21 was negatively correlated with IL-2 level in patients. In conclusion, the study disclosed a significant association between miR-31 and miR-21 expression with IL-2 level in SLE patients. The regulatory biomarkers of miR-31 and miR-21 might have an impact on regulating IL-2 pathway expression and in turn on the activation of T lymphocytes in SLE.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the most frequent chronic neurologic condition in childhood. Its clinical diagnosis is based on electroencephalograms (EEG) and neuroimaging techniques. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression of several genes and are aberrantly expressed in several diseases. AIM: Evaluation of using circulating miR-106b and miR-146a as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in children patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Thirty epileptic children and twenty controls were enrolled in our study. They were assessed for the expression pattern of miR-106b and miR-146a in plasma using quantitative real-time PCR and determination of plasma Immunoglobulin levels. RESULTS: MiR-146a and miR-106b expression patterns were significantly up-regulated in children patients than that in normal controls. Plasma Immunoglobulins were differentially expressed in epileptic patients in comparison with healthy controls. No correlations were found between expression levels of miRNAs (miR-146a and miR-106b) and clinical data or immunoglobulin levels in children patients with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that up-regulated plasma miR-106b and miR-146a could be used as biomarkers for epilepsy evaluation.

T YPHOID fever a food-borne disease caused by Salmonella species, is a worldwide prevalent disease. In endemic areas, children are at highest risk owing to weaning from passively acquired maternal antibody and lack of acquired immunity. Several studies have been done to clarify the pathogenesis and underlying immune aspects of typhoid fever. The Objective is to study the changes of some proinflammatory cytokines in plasma of children and adults with typhoid fever and resistance to therapy. This study included 128 cases from which 34 consecutive children and adult admitted to Benha Fever Hospital with proven diagnosis of typhoid fever patients with typhoid fever resistant to combined therapy with Ciprofloxacin and Cefotax in addition to Zithrokan and Zantac have higher plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Toxic look, constipation and splenomegaly may be considered as indicators of drug resistance. Study of changes in the levels of some cytokines may offer a new dimension in the assessment of the clinical efficacy of antimicrobial therapy.

Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an auto inflammatory genetic disease resulted from the mutation of pyrin, which contributes to the formation of inflamma some complex. Therefore, activation of cytokines is one of the hallmarks of FMF pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the role of miRNAs as regulatory biomarkers for inflammation in patients with FMF. Methods: 50 FMF patients and 25 healthy subjects were included in this study. Q RT-PCR was used to determine plasma expressions of miR-181a and miR-125a, while IFN-γ and IL-17 were estimated using ELISA technique. Results: Our results indicated that, the expression of miR-181a was significantly decreased (p = 0.006) while miR-125a expression was insignificantly reduced (p = 0.101) also IL-17 levels were significantly higher(p = 0.003) and plasma IFN-γ levels were insignificantly increased (p = 0.322) in FMF patients than control group. Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between miR-181a expression and lymphocyte percentages (p = 0.048),while a significant negative association was observed between miR-125a and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.005) in FMF patients. However, there were no associations between miR-125a and miR-181a with IFN-γ and IL-17 in FMF patients. Conclusion: miR-181a and miR-125a could be used as regulatory biomarkers for inflammation in FMF patients.